Our Christian Quarter Walk
Trip Start
Jan 08, 2008
1
8
33
Trip End
Mar 18, 2008
Jerusalem,
Israel
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
On the bookshelf at our apartment was a book on Jerusalem walks that we started reading yesterday. We took the first of the walks this afternoon. This walk took us into the Christian Quarter of the Old City. We entered through the Jaffe Gate, and because we had the book in our hands and were reading it as we walked, we were approached by numerous "travel guides" who were anxious to lead us. Our most common answer was, "No thanks, we're walking on our own!" There were approximately 25 areas that we were to find and explore - all that had a historical or religious significance. One of our finds was St. Alexander's Chapel and Church - a spot that most tour groups never get to see. In 1859, the Russians were taking an interest in acquiring real estate in Jerusalem and this site was quite valuable because of it's proximity to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. While digging the foundation the Russians uncovered some important ruins under all the rubble
Hardian's Arch
. They had to stop with the excavation in 1860 because the Russians were using all their resources to build hospices and a cathedral in the Russian Compound outside the Old City Wall. (This compound is about 3 blocks from our apartment.) In 1883 the excavations began again in the Old City. So today, we saw the remains of what archaeologists believe to be the Second Wall, built by Herod the Great (approx. 143-37 B.C.). The location of this find has great importance to Christianity because it would indicate that Jesus was crucified outside of the city gates. The other find was part of the triumphal gate built by Emperor Hadrian around A.D. 135. This gate was built to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 130. Again, we enjoyed seeing this little known church in tours around the city.Peace be with you all.
Jolene and Michael
d
Comments
Walls and Walls
MJ - -Cool stuff.. I am always confused about what wall or building was from what era since they constantly built new structures on the ruins of the ones they just demolished. I think one of the Jesus era streets our tour took us to was about 20 feet below the current street level.. very confusing.. God Bless.. R&C
No Walking Here Today
Your walks all sound so interesting. I imagine you'll take another one today. Can't say I'll do the same ... it is cold here in Palatine, and getting colder!! High on Saturday will only be about 4 degrees ... with windchills of -15 to -30 degrees. I saw this morning that the Tribune calls for Jerusalem to have sunny skies and temps as high as 63 today. Were they correct? Hope so! Enjoy!!
Blessings,
Cindy
Happy Sabbath, M & J
You would be so proud of Bob as he did a wonderful job this morning. His sermon was well organized and moving, with the main point cleverly illustrated. The music today was especially good, as well. We have so many gifted people!
Barb Bohn and I went to Church Women United on Friday, and the speaker was Pastor Gretchen Winkler of Lutheran Church of Martha and Mary in Mt. Prospect. She had traveled on a study tour to the West Bank with the Israel Committee Ågainst Housing Demolitions, and she was most informative. We handed out brochures inviting all to our program on February 23, and many were very interested. We were also told that a recent National Geographic magazine featured the problems in the area.
Right now I'm watching the Packers in the Playoffs--freezing in sub-zero temps. I hope you are warmer there! Kay D.